The Catholic Relief Services International Development Fellowship Program prepares dedicated global citizens to pursue a career in international relief and development work. CRS empowers fellows to enhance their skills and gain hands-on field experience while contributing to impactful work. Each fellow works alongside experienced CRS staff to address critical issues facing developing countries today. CRS invites candidates from diverse backgrounds committed to our agency's mission and strategy to join our global team.

DEVELOP CRITICAL PROJECTS AND MANAGEMENT SKILLS

DESIGNED TO PREPARE TEAM MEMBERS FOR SUCCESS

The fellowship is a unique 12-month professional development opportunity designed to prepare fellows for success in a variety of future roles at CRS. The Fellowship is centered on building skills in the following four areas:

PROJECT MANAGEMENT

  • Planning and implementation of activities
  • Monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning.
  • Resource/Budget Management
  • Communicating

DESIGN PROJECT

  • Research, evaluations, analyses
  • participatory design
  • Outcomes framework and theory of change
  • Proposal development

SYSTEMS AND OPERATIONS

  • Supply chain and logistics
  • Human Resources
  • Finance and compliance
  • Safety, safety, risk mitigation

PARTNERSHIP

  • Project planning
  • Programme implementation
  • Strengthening capacity
  • Reflection and evaluation
Mercy Anguah (left) examining infants for acute malnutrition during her fellowship in Niger.

GET INVOLVED IN IMPACTFUL WORK

MAKE A DIFFERENCE

CRS works with a vast network of partners to generate sustainable change and provide life-saving aid when emergencies arise. Fellows support CRS's impactful work across a wide range of sectors and take on varying levels of responsibility.

Common Tasks of the Brotherhood

  • Leading new emergency response projects
  • To act as interim project manager.
  • Participate in the design of new projects.
  • Supervise assessments and data collection.
  • Develop accountability structures.
  • Writing reports and proposals

https://youtube.com/watchv=5CfIlVay_7Y%3Fenablejsapi%3D1%26origin%3Dhttps%3A%252F%252Fwww.crs.org

The countries that have recently received scholarship recipients are highlighted on the map below.

Learn more about where we work e our approach .

Prepare yourself for future career opportunities.

REALIZE YOUR POTENTIAL

Many fellows build a career at CRS after completing their fellowship. Every year, the majority of graduating fellows apply for and accept offers for future positions at CRS. Frequently, fellows transition directly into roles in project design and proposal development, program management (especially in emergency response), program quality and monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning. As they grow with CRS, former fellows often move between technical and managerial roles, working in the countries we serve or remotely. Hover over the photos below to see some of the roles fellows have held since their fellowship year.

Manager of the Agriculture and Food Security Program,
Head of the Sudan Office, Ghor Province,
Technical Advisor for Afghanistan, Quality and Management of the Emergency Program –
Humanitarian Response Department

Celeste Gregory

Fellow in Burundi

2009-2010

Emergency Program Manager,
Deputy Chief Programmer for South Sudan,
Emergency Coordinator for Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo

Taylor Lanton

Fellow in the Philippines

2016-2017

Operations Manager, Philippines
Operations Manager, Head of Operations in Nepal, Advisor in Sierra Leone, Field Management Response Team

Dennis Lee

Fellow in Uganda

2011-2012

Emergency Program Manager, Crisis Response Program Manager in Rwanda,
Representative of Haiti in Burundi, Angola, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, India, DRC, Haiti and
Vice President for Syria Response, Department of Humanitarian Response

Jennifer Poidatz

Fellow in Benin

1993-1994

Peacebuilding Program Manager, Iraq

Melissa Chedid

Fellow in Egypt

2018-2019

Markets Program Manager, Northeast Nigeria Emergency Program Manager, Mozambique Technical Advisor, Cash and Voucher Assistance, Humanitarian Response Department

Danny Pavitt

Fellow in the Philippines

2017-2018

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF COMPREHENSIVE BENEFITS

A PARTNERSHIP FOR HEALTH AND SUCCESS

At CRS, we value the health and well-being of our employees and offer comprehensive benefits to meet their needs and those of their families. Benefits include an international medical plan, dental and vision insurance, generous leave, a highly competitive retirement program, and family allowances for overseas employees. CRS also prioritizes and invests in the safety and security of its staff and offers travel and property insurance, disability coverage, and employee assistance programs.

MEDICAL/DENTAL/VISION

Fellows enjoy an international health plan, as well as zero-deductible ophthalmological coverage for network providers and low coinsurance and copayments.

SAFE FURNISHED HOUSING

The CRS provides each fellow with basic furnished housing, which includes electricity, running water, internet, and security services (if needed). Fellow housing is usually an apartment or house near the CRS office.

PAID LEAVE (VACATION, SICK LEAVE AND PERSONAL LEAVE)

The CRS offers scholarship recipients 20 days of paid vacation, along with 12 days of sick leave annually. In addition, we offer 4 personal days off to address emergency or non-emergency situations that occur during a normal workday.

TRAVEL AND MEDICAL EVACUATION

The CRS covers relocation costs, such as transportation to and from the host country, visas, vaccinations, etc. In addition, the CRS offers employer-funded medical evacuation coverage for the fellow and their dependents.

RETIREMENT BENEFITS (403B)

The CRS offers a matching contribution of 50% on the first 6% of contributions, as well as a contribution of 7% from salary, regardless of the employee's contributions, after six months of service. (Note: Employees without a CPF [Brazilian taxpayer ID] can participate in an offshore retirement fund with the same contribution calculation.)

CONTINUING EDUCATION

After being hired, fellows gain access to CRS's robust online learning platform. In addition, CRS will reimburse up to $ 5,200 per year for employees pursuing professional degrees and certifications after one year of employment.

Explore more benefits in detail at CRS benefits page.

REVIEW OF PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

CANDIDATE PROFILE

At CRS, we celebrate diversity in our workforce and are committed to developing local leadership in the communities we serve. We recruit fellows from around the world, including nationals of the countries where we work and from underrepresented groups in the U.S. and globally. We welcome applications from candidates of all faiths and secular traditions who share... our values and our commitment to serving those in need.

Minimum scholarship requirements

  • Postgraduate studies in a relevant field.
  • At least six months of work or volunteer experience in a developing country.
  • Fluency in English with strong oral and written communication skills
  • Professional proficiency in a second language (French, Arabic and Portuguese preferred)
  • Willingness to work in areas with tropical and infectious diseases and limited access to medical facilities.
Current representative of the country in Uganda and former colleague Niek de Goeij (right) supporting a food distribution.

Visit Frequently Asked Questions to review the cover letter requirements.

REGISTER FOR THE SOCIETY

THREE SIMPLE STEPS

Prepare a cover letter.

Consult frequently asked questions  to meet the requirements.

Prepare your resume/CV

Register online

Selection process and timeline

Applications will be accepted until November 30, 2022. The best candidates will be invited to participate in a video interview, language test, and final interview. Visit the website. frequently asked questions For more information.

Due to the high volume of applications and the ongoing evaluation process, candidates will only be contacted if and when they advance to the next stage of the selection process.

WORK WITH US

LET'S TALK

We encourage you to join us for a webinar about the CRS Fellowship. Our webinars are an opportunity for you to exchange information informally with our team—learn more about the Fellowship program, ask your questions, etc. We offer webinars at the times listed below. Simply click this link to enter any session.. You can also call +1 443-290-6516, Conference ID: 991213265#

Information Sessions

Wednesday, October 12, 2022
9am to 10am EST

Thursday, October 27, 2022,
2 PM to 3 PM EST

Thursday, November 10, 2022
1 PM to 2 PM EST

Monday, November 21, 2022
8am to 9am EST

LEARN MORE

Frequently Asked Questions

We're glad you're interested in learning more about the IDFP. In our FAQs, we strive to answer questions you may have about the application and selection process, assignments and travel abroad, housing and family, career, and much more. For additional information, please follow the [link/page/etc.]. IDFP page on Facebook or send an email to idfp@crs.org.

View frequently asked questions >

MORE OPPORTUNITIES

The CAREERSCRS team, along with our partners and the people we serve, works daily to bring our mission and guiding principles to life. 

INTERNSHIPS: Offers students opportunities for learning and growth in the field of international aid and development. 

JUNIOR PROFESSIONAL PROGRAM: Offers women structured training, strong supervision, and guidance.

EXPLORE CURRENT CAREER OPPORTUNITIES >

Equal Opportunities/Affirmative Action Employer

CRS is proud to be an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Selection and hiring decisions are made regardless of sex, gender identity, race, age, disability, religion, national origin, color, veteran status, or any other protected area.

We are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities. If, due to a medical condition or disability, you require reasonable accommodations for any part of the hiring process, please email us at [email address]. Recruitmentsupport@crs.org.

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